During the 2020 coronavirus lockdown, Gary Surman of Smethwick precision engineering sub-contractors A&M EDM acted on a longstanding ambition to improve the performance of the A-series Classic Mini engine block.
Gary was convinced that advances in engine technology could improve the racing performance of original engine. A&M designed and manufactured a road race version block machined from solid aluminium weighing only 20.5kg compared to the original 32kg, boosted by five functioning main bearings rather than three.
Gary and A&M’s managing director, Mark Wingfield created a separate company, Ascaso Engineering, to develop the engine. Mr Wingfield supported Gary’s ambition, believing a proprietary product would assist the precision engineering subcontractor’s long term growth.
Gary Surman said: “We have manufactured precision components for Formula One, aerospace, automotive and marine industries for many years and applied our engineering skills to manufacture this engine. The original had three main bearings but the new version has five, so it can rev at higher speeds up to 10,000 rpm and accept a load over 350 BHP.”
The A+5 1273 cc K16V turbo engine was successfully circuit tested in December by Mini racer Jim Lyons. A&M laser-scanned his Mini to reverse-engineer the engine bay and legacy components in order alternative body kits.
He drove the 1273cc Turbo version for its first race at the world’s fastest Mini event at Brands Hatch in August , finishing in fifth place overcoming a split exhaust manifold.
Jim Lyons said: “The engine is outstanding. Gary and the rest of the A&M team have done a fantastic job. The quality of the machining is better than I’ve ever seen before. The engine runs cool, so all the cooling issues I’ve had for 20 years have gone. Racing, I can really feel the difference in the weight of the engine. The Ascaso engine has a bullet proof bottom end, so we can really start to get some big power.”
The 1071cc KAD Gen3 16v turbo engine will be used for a land speed record attempt at 427 BHP in Bolivia in 2024. This engine has been tested from "out of the box as designed" and will be marketed as the 1071cc 16v TS following the iconic Cooper S 1071cc engine.
A&M have developed different capacities of dedicated classic Mini engines, from 1071cc through to 1400cc for the BMW K16V and 12G940 heads and anticipate sales from Mini racing enthusiasts around the world.
(https://www.expressandstar.com)
More about VAFEM:
VAFEM is devoted to providing high quality ball & roller bearings and related transmission parts for domestic and foreign customers in the Vehicle industry and Industries. Our products used in automotive and truck industry mainly include : wheel bearings, wheel bearing kits, wheel hub bearings, alternator bearings, tensioner bearings, clutch bearings, and gear box bearings etc. Our industrial bearings are mainly used in these fields such as Industrial Automation, Home Appliances, Reducers, Agricultural Machines, Precision Machine Spindles, and Transmission Systems etc. As a high-tech company specializing in bearings, we can not only provide stable and trustworthy quality products for OEM customers, but also provide non-standard bearings based on customers’ special requirements. At the same time, we can provide a series of complete product lines and have our own brand VAFEM, it stands for the abbreviation of value added for every movement, which has been recognized by more and more customers and end users.
2023 New Week VAFEM product Recommendation:
VAFEM single bearings, manufactured to original equipment quality, are assembled in Langenbach, along with all the necessary components. There are four different models: grooved and angular roller bearings,tapered roller bearings,integrated wheel bearing units (hub units with built-in electronic sensors), and the bearings used for ABS, TCS, CPWM and navigation systems. In VAFEM catalogue you will also find images of each individual item. Our range of wheel hubs has also been considerably extended.
As a precious high quality wheel bearing kits manufacturer and supplier in China, VAFEM can guarantee the quality and precision of the products through complete testing technology and advanced equipment. Please come to buy wheel bearing kits at the best price and quality from VAFEM. Please contact us for any questions!
2023-09-27